Results of Early Primary Repair for Acute Severe Ankle Sprains

급성 족관절 고도 염좌에 대한 조기 일차 봉합술 결과

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological results of the early primary repair for acute ankle sprains. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to September 2005, nine patients with acute ankle sprain were analyzed. Among them, eight patients took the inversion stress X-ray at local clinics, and the mean talar tilting angle was 28 degrees. We observed avulsion fragment near lateral malleolus in the other. The average age at the time of operation was 24 years and average follow-up period was 29 months. We evaluated postoperative symptoms by Hasegawa's clinical rating system, postoperative complications, and compared the talar tilting angle and anterior draw distance between both ankles at the final follow-up X-rays. Results: Anterior talofibular ligament was ruptured at fibula in 4, at midsubstance in 3, at talus in 1 and at fibula and midsubstance simultaneously in 1. Calcaneofibular ligament was ruptured at fibula in 3 including a case of avulsion fracture, at midsubstance in 2, and at calcaneus in 4. And posterior talofibular ligament was ruptured at midsubstance in 2. Clinical results were rated as excellent in all. We did not find major postoperative complications except for one sural nerve irritation. Both (injured ankle/uninjured ankle) talar tilting angle averaged 6.8/8.2 degrees and anterior draw distance averaged 2.9/3.7 mm at final follow-up X-rays. Conclusion: Early primary repair is recommended for treating acute severe ankle sprains and in case found avulsion fracture in X-ray taken after ankle sprain.